My 98 SAAB 93 doesnt wanna start up sometimes, how do I tell if its the starter or fuel pump or what

Tiny
SHANNON 100
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 SAAB 9-3
  • 114,000 MILES
I can try to start, it may or may not, may or may not have a lil backfire to it, may or may not try to bog dwn and die at a red light, just never know if she will start, im a woman and dont no if its a fuel pump or starter or what, UGH
Friday, December 9th, 2011 AT 10:34 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Do you have a check engine light and when was last tune-up?

Start by having the fuel pressure check
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Friday, December 9th, 2011 AT 10:47 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,133 POSTS
When this happens, does the starter work?
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Friday, December 9th, 2011 AT 10:48 PM
Tiny
SHANNON 100
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  • 3 POSTS
No check engine light, it cranks just dont start til it wants to
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Saturday, December 10th, 2011 AT 1:14 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Next time it refuses to start don't wait for it to make up its mind-do below immediately to determine if its fuel or spark problem

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 3/16 away from ground-have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, Do you hear the fuel pump come On when you turn key on? If not check fuel pump fuse and fuel pump relay if okay-check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, cap and rotor, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it and keep testing
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Saturday, December 10th, 2011 AT 1:52 AM
Tiny
SHANNON 100
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Well thank you its a start and I will try all you have mentioned, also wondering if my battery cable may be kinda loose, if that could affect the starting.
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Saturday, December 10th, 2011 AT 2:15 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Yes yes yes. The battery terminals must be clean, tight, and free of corrosion.
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Saturday, December 10th, 2011 AT 3:15 AM

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